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Pioneer VSX-1021-K review: Built-in AirPlay, top-notch sound

Pioneer has undeniably been the main innovator in the midrange AV receiver space over the last few years. For example, the company added the ability to connect an iPod/iPhone directly via USB, and included a cable for that purpose, before anyone else. Now Pioneer is making iPod support one step easier with the VSX-1021-K, letting you wirelessly stream music from an iOS device--such as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch--using AirPlay, Apple's proprietary media-streaming format (check out our full hands-on). In addition to AirPlay, the VSX-1021-K also features a slew of other attractive features, including five HDMI inputs, DLNA compatibility, and Pioneer's iOS remote-control app, iControlAV2. Not to mention the fact that it sounds pretty great, too.

As impressive as that package sounds, it's still not quite enough to make the VSX-1021-K our top midrange receiver pick of 2011. The Denon AVR-1912 edges it out just slightly by also offering AirPlay, plus one more HDMI port, a two-year warranty, more built-in streaming media services, and slightly better sound quality. That still makes the VSX-1021-K our second-favorite receiver of the year and it could be the top choice for some buyers who really can't stand the inferior onscreen display of the Denon.… Read more

Hands-on with the Pioneer VSX-1021-K: AirPlay and iControl2 app

The Pioneer VSX-1021-K was the first midrange AV receiver announced with built-in AirPlay functionality, and it's also the first one we've received for hands-on testing. We've had the VSX-1021-K set up for less than 24 hours, but that's enough time to jot down our initial impressions on its built-in AirPlay functionality and Pioneer's iControlAV2 iOS app.

AirPlay: The ultimate digital music remote Simply put, built-in AirPlay lives up to the hype.

Once you get the VSX-1021-K on your home network (either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, using the $150 adapter), streaming music from an iOS device (any iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad) is as simple as playing a song, hitting the AirPlay icon, and selecting the VSX-1021-K. Music played using the iPod app will have full cover art and artist info displayed on the connected TV, plus you can adjust the volume of the receiver using your iOS device's built-in volume controls.

AirPlay also works with a ton of third-party apps, so we were streaming music from Pandora and Rhapsody in no time. Even though we've had plenty of experience using other digital music streamers, like Squeezebox, there's no denying that it's pretty fun to stream audio straight from an iPhone.

AirPlay also isn't limited to music on your iOS device. Fire up Apple's Remote app, select an iTunes library from a networked computer, and you can stream music from that computer using your iOS device as the remote.

Or, if you don't have an iOS device, you can use your computer as the controller--just hit the AirPlay icon the bottom right and select the VSX-1021-K. The only slight downside is you'll need to leave your computer (with iTunes running) on for both of these methods to work.… Read more

Denon's 2011 core line of AV receivers compared

Denon is the last of the major AV receiver manufacturers to announce its 2011 lineup, but it was worth the wait. The company introduced four new receivers in its "core line" last week, including the $530 AVR-1912, which Denon is referring to as the least expensive AV receiver with built-in AirPlay. (The Pioneer VSX-1021-K has a list price of $550.) Below is a detailed breakdown of the main feature differences between Denon's new receivers.

Denon AVR-1312

Key features of the Denon AVR-1312:

5.1 AV receiver, 110 watts per channel Four HDMI inputs 3D video pass-through, standby pass-through, and audio return channel Graphical user interface, overlaid on HDMI sources Two digital audio inputs (one optical, one coaxial) $250 list price; available later in April

Denon AVR-1612… Read more

Denon's midrange AV receiver has AirPlay too

Pioneer's VSX-1021-K was the first midrange receiver we've seen with built-in AirPlay support, but it's about to get some competition. Denon has announced its entire 2011 line of AV receivers today, including the $530 AVR-1912 with AirPlay support. All three of Denon's higher-end "IN-Command Series Models"--the $600 AVR-2112CI, $800 AVR-2312CI, and $1,000 AVR-3312CI, also include AirPlay functionality, as well as Rhapsody, Napster, Pandora, and DLNA support.

We're currently at the event getting the full details on these new receivers and we'll be posting a more detailed comparison of Denon's … Read more

Yamaha's four new AV receivers compared

Yamaha announced four new AV receivers yesterday in its RX-V line, ranging from the $250 RX-V371 to the $600 RX-V671. Like many other manufacturers, the higher-end RX-V671 offers a host of iPhone/iPod-related features, such as an app to control the receiver and an iPhone/iPod-compatible USB port, but no AirPlay like on the Pioneer VSX-1021-K. Here's a quick look at the key feature differences for the whole line.

Yamaha RX-V371

Key features of the Yamaha RX-V371:

5.1 AV receiver, 100 watts per channel Four HDMI inputs 3D video pass-through, standby pass-through, and audio return channel Four digital audio inputs (two optical, two coaxial) $250 list price; available now

Yamaha RX-V471

… Read more

Pioneer's 2011 line of AV receivers compared

Pioneer's big home-audio news this week was the VSX-1021-K AV receiver with built-in AirPlay support, but the company also released full details on the rest of its 2011 midrange AV receiver line. We've broken out all the key features of the models below:

Pioneer VSX-521-K

Key features of the Pioneer VSX-521-K:

5.1 AV receiver, 110 watts per channel Four HDMI inputs 3D video pass-through, standby pass-through, and audio return channel Minijack input $250 list price; available later in March

Pioneer VSX-821-K

… Read more

Pioneer's new VSX-1021-K receiver has built-in AirPlay

Pioneer has announced the new VSX-1021-K this afternoon, the first midrange AV receiver we've seen with built-in support for AirPlay, Apple's new streaming audio platform. For iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad owners, we expect it to be one of the easiest ways to browse and listen to your digital music collection, allowing you to stream music directly from your device to your receiver--even from digital music apps like Pandora and Rhapsody. AirPlay also allows you to stream music directly from iTunes on a PC or Mac.

The VSX-1021-K needs to be connected to your home network for AirPlay to … Read more

Sony unveils 2011 midrange AV receiver line

Sony announced its new 2011 line of midrange AV receivers this morning, adding lots of new iPhone/iPod connectivity features throughout the line. The $500 STR-DN1020 is also getting support (via an Ethernet port) for Sony's new streaming audio platform HomeShare, which we were impressed with back at CES 2011. There are a lot of changes from last year's models, and here are the key details announced so far.… Read more

Onkyo brings networking to its midrange receivers

Receivers used to be little more than an amplifier, then they became the central hub for video signals, and now they're getting network functionality too. Onkyo has announced three new AV receiver models, with the two higher-end models featuring an Ethernet port and the ability to add Wi-Fi (via a dongle) for $40. A lot has changed in Onkyo's AV receiver line for 2011, so let's run down the most important features.… Read more